Inglourious Basterds 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. since Tarantino's next film is imminent, here's recommending probably my favourite film of his. a cathartic story with several indelible scenes.

树大必有枯枝 人多必有白痴

Up 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. as someone who almost never fancies animated films, I found this easy to like. gentle, tender and simple, without over-animating.

champions minus De Bruyne

City won the title more or less WITHOUT their best player De Bruyne. they did add Mahrez (£60m), who actually played fewer matches than Sterling, Bernardo, Sane and David Silva.

Liverpool added Alisson (£55m), Keita (£53m), Fabinho (£39m) and Shaqiri (£13m) after reaching the Champions League final.

United added Fred (£53m) after finishing runners-up.

Arsenal added Torreira (£27m), Leno (£22m) and Sokratis (£14m).

Chelsea added Kepa (£72m), Jorginho (£51m), Higuain (£8m) and Kovacic.

I rarely praise rivals, but credit is due.

You took your first pinch like a man and you learned the two most important things in life. Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut.

她说人最大的烦恼就是记性太好

"Anyone who spends a significant amount of time with me finds me disagreeable."

State of Play 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. when journalism and thrillers intersect. for those who find serious journalism films like Spotlight boring.

Saint Jack 40th anniversary

40 years ago this month. the best Hollywood film shot in Singapore is not Crazy Rich Asians.

佛典有云
旗未动
风也未吹
是人的心自己在动

"There are these butterflies in Central America. They're blue and orange and yellow and have poison in their wings, just enough to stop a bird heart. But the birds know this somehow, so they don't eat them. But there are other ones, butterflies, they're orange, blue and yellow too but no poison wings. They're just flying around, looking dangerous, getting by on their looks."

生死有命 富貴在天

The Matrix 20th anniversary

20 years ago this month. the film that left this 12-year-old stunned by the magic of cinema and the start of a trilogy that would consume me for years.

"I'm Shiva, the God of death."

Oscars 2019: who should win

Picture

1. The Favourite
2. Roma
3. A Star Is Born
4. Bohemian Rhapsody
5. BlacKkKlansman
6. Green Book
7. Vice
8. Black Panther

it's a long shot. it's not a Hollywood darling like A Star Is Born (self-consciousness), Green Book (civil rights) and Vice (politics). it's not as powerful as Roma. but Roma is slightly quiet for me while The Favourite is just a non-stop riot with a flawless screenplay, glorious acting and mesmerising cinematography.

Directing
Alfonso Cuaron
Spike Lee comes a close second, but although Roma isn't perfect, the way Cuaron shot something he also wrote steals, unfairly, my vote.

Actor
Viggo Mortensen
the way Rami Malek has been winning everything tells you the field isn't stellar. I love Bohemian Rhapsody, but is Malek that good? I would be okay with Christian Bale taking it because he's watchable in everything, but by transformation alone, none became a completely different person like Mortensen as Tony Lip.

Actress
Olivia Colman
she might just lose to an also-good Glenn Close due to politics, but Colman's performance isn't just a year-best, it's one for the ages.

Supporting Actor
Richard E Grant
Mahershala Ali is gonna win it, this we know. but I found the performance not among his best work. Grant is my favourite in this field, with Adam Driver deserving of special mention.

Supporting Actress
Emma Stone
Rachel Weisz and Regina King are favourites, some will say Amy Adams is winless in six noms. but the one true standout, who plays it like it's her film, who's more deserving than her 2017 Oscar, is Stone.

Original Screenplay
First Reformed
the only original story in the field. several moments of excellent writing too.

Adapted Screenplay
BlacKkKlansman
everyone's a worthy nominee in this category, but I pick this Spike Lee joint for how it balances hate and humour.